The Fire Engines: Difference between revisions
imported>FraserPettigrew m Removed reference to Russell Burn forming Everest the Hard Way in late 1981 post-Fire Engines break-up. This is incorrect - ETHW formed at least early 1980 (eg Feb80 entry here: http://edinburghgigarchive.com/astoria-stewarts-ballroom/) and neither Burn nor Stephen Lironi were ever members. |
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'''The Fire Engines''' were a [[post-punk]] band from [[Edinburgh]], Scotland. | '''The Fire Engines''' were a [[post-punk]] band from [[Edinburgh]], Scotland. They were initially active between 1979 and 1981. Their first single was the "Get Up And Use Me" / "Everything's Roses", released on the Codex Communications label in 1980, which was given 'Single of the Week' in both NME and Sounds. The band signed to [[Fast Product]] and issued further singles and a largely instrumental album, ''Lubricate Your Living Room'' (1981) on Fast subsidiary Pop:Aural. | ||
The Fire Engines were an influence on many bands that followed, including Franz Ferdinand and [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]], with [[Meat Whiplash]] and [[The Candyskins]] both taking their names from Fire Engines songs. | They reformed for concerts between 2004 and 2006, and again in 2017. The Fire Engines were an influence on many bands that followed, including [[Franz Ferdinand]] and [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]], with [[Meat Whiplash]] and [[The Candyskins]] both taking their names from Fire Engines songs. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The Fire Engines comprise [[Davy Henderson|David (Davy) Henderson]] (vocals/guitar), Murray Slade (guitar), Graham Main (bass), and Russell Burn (drums). The band name was inspired by a [[13th Floor Elevators]] song.<ref name="Ankeny">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fire-engines-mn0000339713 Fire Engines Biography]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 22 June 2012</ref><ref name="Buckley" /><ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, {{ISBN|1-84195-335-0}}, p. 332-3</ref> Henderson, Main, and Burn had previously been members of The Dirty Reds, along with Russell Burn's brother [[Tam Dean Burn]],<ref name="Ankeny" /><ref name="Buckley">Buckley, Peter (2003) "The Fire Engines", in ''The Rough Guide to Rock'', Rough Guides, {{ISBN|978-1843531050}}, p. 373-4</ref> while Slade had played in Station Six.<ref name="Reekie" /> The Fire Engines' debut release was the "Get Up And Use Me"/"Everything's Roses" single, released on manager Angus Groovy's Codex Communications label in 1980; The band had recorded their entire set twice in a Fife bungalow with producer Wilf Smarties, at a cost of £46, with these two tracks selected for release.<ref name="Reekie">Reekie, Innes (2012) "[http://louderthanwar.com/post-punk-heroes-the-fire-engines-by-innes-reekie/ Post Punk heroes the Fire Engines]", Louder Than War, 6 January 2012, retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> | The Fire Engines comprise [[Davy Henderson|David (Davy) Henderson]] (vocals/guitar), Murray Slade (guitar), Graham Main (bass), and Russell Burn (drums). The band name was inspired by a [[13th Floor Elevators]] song.<ref name="Ankeny">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fire-engines-mn0000339713 Fire Engines Biography]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 22 June 2012</ref><ref name="Buckley" /><ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (2003) ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, {{ISBN|1-84195-335-0}}, p. 332-3</ref> Henderson, Main, and Burn had previously been members of The Dirty Reds, along with Russell Burn's brother [[Tam Dean Burn]],<ref name="Ankeny" /><ref name="Buckley">Buckley, Peter (2003) "The Fire Engines", in ''The Rough Guide to Rock'', Rough Guides, {{ISBN|978-1843531050}}, p. 373-4</ref> while Slade had played in Station Six.<ref name="Reekie" /> The Fire Engines' debut release was the "Get Up And Use Me" / "Everything's Roses" single, released on manager Angus Groovy's Codex Communications label in 1980; The band had recorded their entire set twice in a Fife bungalow with producer Wilf Smarties, at a cost of £46, with these two tracks selected for release.<ref name="Reekie">Reekie, Innes (2012) "[http://louderthanwar.com/post-punk-heroes-the-fire-engines-by-innes-reekie/ Post Punk heroes the Fire Engines]", Louder Than War, 6 January 2012, retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> | ||
"Get Up and Use Me" was given 'Single of the Week' in both ''[[NME]]'' and ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]''.<ref name="Reekie" /> The band's live shows rarely lasted longer than twenty minutes – Henderson said of the early live shows: "We played to our strengths which were minimal, but somehow, as a band, it worked. We never played chords and Russell didn’t use cymbals or hi-hats. It was very violent although no-one got hurt. Pure aggression, attitude and hate was what it was."<ref name="Reekie" /> The band were offered a deal by [[Postcard Records]], but opted for Bob Last's [[Fast Product]] label.<ref name="McLaughlin">McLaughlin, Milo (2006) "[http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/features/41686-fire_engines Fire Engines]", ''[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]'', 16 April 2006, retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> Further singles followed and a largely instrumental album, ''Lubricate Your Living Room'' (subtitled 'Background Music for Action People!'), in 1981, released on Fast subsidiary Pop:Aural.<ref name="McLaughlin" /> The band recorded two sessions for [[John Peel]]'s [[BBC Radio 1]] show, the first in February 1981 featuring a [[cover version]] of [[Heaven 17]]'s "[[(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang]]", and a second in November that year.<ref name="Buckley" /><ref name="KIP">"[ | "Get Up and Use Me" was given 'Single of the Week' in both ''[[NME]]'' and ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]''.<ref name="Reekie" /> The band's live shows rarely lasted longer than twenty minutes – Henderson said of the early live shows: "We played to our strengths which were minimal, but somehow, as a band, it worked. We never played chords and Russell didn’t use cymbals or hi-hats. It was very violent although no-one got hurt. Pure aggression, attitude and hate was what it was."<ref name="Reekie" /> The band were offered a deal by [[Postcard Records]], but opted for Bob Last's [[Fast Product]] label.<ref name="McLaughlin">McLaughlin, Milo (2006) "[http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/features/41686-fire_engines Fire Engines]", ''[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]'', 16 April 2006, retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> Further singles followed and a largely instrumental album, ''Lubricate Your Living Room'' (subtitled 'Background Music for Action People!'), in 1981, released on Fast subsidiary Pop:Aural.<ref name="McLaughlin" /> The band recorded two sessions for [[John Peel]]'s [[BBC Radio 1]] show, the first in February 1981 featuring a [[cover version]] of [[Heaven 17]]'s "[[(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang]]", and a second in November that year.<ref name="Buckley" /><ref name="KIP">"[https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/f/fireengines/ Fire Engines]", ''Keeping It Peel'', [[BBC]], retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> Their most successful single was "Candy Skin", released in 1981, but after the follow-up, "Big Gold Dream" failed to repeat its success, the band split up on 31 December 1981.<ref name="Strong" /><ref name="McLaughlin" /> | ||
Henderson formed the short-lived Heartbeat with Bob Last's partner Hillary Morrison, the band's only release a track on an ''NME'' compilation cassette.<ref name="Strong" /> Burn rejoined The Dirty Reds.<ref name="Strong" /> Henderson and Burn went on to form [[Win (band)|Win]] with Ian Stoddart (formerly of Everest the Hard Way) in the mid 1980s, the band continuing until 1989.<ref name="Strong" /> Henderson and Burn then worked together on Burn's Pie Finger project, releasing an album on [[Creation Records]] in 1992.<ref name="Strong" /> Henderson then formed [[The Nectarine No. 9]], which continued from the early 1990s until 2004.<ref name="Ankeny" /><ref name="Buckley" /> | Henderson formed the short-lived Heartbeat with Bob Last's partner Hillary Morrison, the band's only release a track on an ''NME'' compilation cassette.<ref name="Strong" /> Burn rejoined The Dirty Reds.<ref name="Strong" /> Henderson and Burn went on to form [[Win (band)|Win]] with Ian Stoddart (formerly of Everest the Hard Way) in the mid 1980s, the band continuing until 1989.<ref name="Strong" /> Henderson and Burn then worked together on Burn's Pie Finger project, releasing an album on [[Creation Records]] in 1992.<ref name="Strong" /> Henderson then formed [[The Nectarine No. 9]], which continued from the early 1990s until 2004.<ref name="Ankeny" /><ref name="Buckley" /> | ||
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In 2004, the Fire Engines reformed to support [[The Magic Band]] at The Liquid Room in Edinburgh,<ref name="Scotsman">"[http://www.scotsman.com/news/legendary-beefheart-band-cast-their-spell-1-920777 Legendary Beefheart band cast their spell]", ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 26 January 2004, retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> and released a limited edition collaboration single with [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]]; The seven-inch single contained a Franz Ferdinand cover of the Fire Engines song "Get Up and Use Me" with Fire Engines covering Franz Ferdinand's "Jacqueline".<ref name="Kellman" /><ref name="Lister" /> The band continued to play occasional concerts until 2006. On 2 October 2007, the Acute label issued ''Hungry Beat'', a collection of the band's original studio recordings, making them available for the first time on CD in the US. | In 2004, the Fire Engines reformed to support [[The Magic Band]] at The Liquid Room in Edinburgh,<ref name="Scotsman">"[http://www.scotsman.com/news/legendary-beefheart-band-cast-their-spell-1-920777 Legendary Beefheart band cast their spell]", ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 26 January 2004, retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> and released a limited edition collaboration single with [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]]; The seven-inch single contained a Franz Ferdinand cover of the Fire Engines song "Get Up and Use Me" with Fire Engines covering Franz Ferdinand's "Jacqueline".<ref name="Kellman" /><ref name="Lister" /> The band continued to play occasional concerts until 2006. On 2 October 2007, the Acute label issued ''Hungry Beat'', a collection of the band's original studio recordings, making them available for the first time on CD in the US. | ||
Henderson | In the late 2000s, Henderson formed The Sexual Objects, featuring Ian Holford (drums), Simon Smeeton (guitar) and Douglas McIntyre (bass).<ref name="Lister">Lister, Paul (2009) "[https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/nov/13/new-band-sexual-objects New Band of the Day: The Sexual Objects (No 669)]", [[The Guardian|guardian.co.uk]], 13 November 2009, retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> Graham Wann later joined as guitarist.<ref name="Marc">"[https://archive.today/20130419175513/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/showcase/clips/p00q4l6j The Sexual Objects – Live Session]", [[BBC]], retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> The band released a single on the [[Creeping Bent (record label)|Creeping Bent]] label in 2007, two singles through a German label in 2008 and one more in 2009. Their debut album, ''Cucumber'', was released in 2010, partially produced by [[Boards of Canada]] (who produced the third single).<ref name="Rogers">Rogers, Jon (2012) "[http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/magsitepages/Article.aspx?id=6413 Fire Engines : Interview with Davy Henderson]", pennyblackmusic.co.uk, 13 March 2012, retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> It was released on vinyl in 2011. | ||
In August 2017 the band reformed again to play a benefit for Leith Theatre along with [[Irvine Welsh]] and [[Ewen Bremner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leiththeatretrust.org/whats-on/2017/6/29/neu-reekie-presents-trainspotting-turns-21-wi-irvine-welsh-the-fire-engines-arthur-baker|title=Neu Reekie! presents: Trainspotting turns 21 wi Irvine Welsh, The Fire Engines & Arthur Baker — Leith Theatre|accessdate=17 August 2017}}</ref> | |||
==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
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== Legacy and influence == | == Legacy and influence == | ||
The history of The Fire Engines from 1979 to 1981 is covered in 2015 documentary film ''[[Big Gold Dream]]'', which takes its name from the band's final release on the Pop:Aural label. | The history of The Fire Engines from 1979 to 1981 is covered in 2015 documentary film ''[[Big Gold Dream]]'', which takes its name from the band's final release on the Pop:Aural label.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3qj44nL2664z9XF4FNKNh0f/big-gold-dream-the-story-of-scotlands-post-punk-music-scene|title=Big Gold Dream: The story of Scotland's post-punk music scene|date=12 April 2017|access-date=30 December 2025|website=[[BBC]]|first=Alastair|last=MacKay}}</ref> | ||
The Fire Engines were an influence on many bands that followed, including Franz Ferdinand and [[The Rapture (band)|The Rapture]], with [[Meat Whiplash]] and [[The Candyskins]] both taking their names from Fire Engines songs.<ref name="Reekie" /><ref name="Kellman">Kellman, Andy "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/codex-teenage-premonition-mw0000167632 ''Codex Teenage Premonition'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 22 June 2012</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 12:37, 30 December 2025
Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". The Fire Engines were a post-punk band from Edinburgh, Scotland. They were initially active between 1979 and 1981. Their first single was the "Get Up And Use Me" / "Everything's Roses", released on the Codex Communications label in 1980, which was given 'Single of the Week' in both NME and Sounds. The band signed to Fast Product and issued further singles and a largely instrumental album, Lubricate Your Living Room (1981) on Fast subsidiary Pop:Aural.
They reformed for concerts between 2004 and 2006, and again in 2017. The Fire Engines were an influence on many bands that followed, including Franz Ferdinand and The Rapture, with Meat Whiplash and The Candyskins both taking their names from Fire Engines songs.
History
The Fire Engines comprise David (Davy) Henderson (vocals/guitar), Murray Slade (guitar), Graham Main (bass), and Russell Burn (drums). The band name was inspired by a 13th Floor Elevators song.[1][2][3] Henderson, Main, and Burn had previously been members of The Dirty Reds, along with Russell Burn's brother Tam Dean Burn,[1][2] while Slade had played in Station Six.[4] The Fire Engines' debut release was the "Get Up And Use Me" / "Everything's Roses" single, released on manager Angus Groovy's Codex Communications label in 1980; The band had recorded their entire set twice in a Fife bungalow with producer Wilf Smarties, at a cost of £46, with these two tracks selected for release.[4]
"Get Up and Use Me" was given 'Single of the Week' in both NME and Sounds.[4] The band's live shows rarely lasted longer than twenty minutes – Henderson said of the early live shows: "We played to our strengths which were minimal, but somehow, as a band, it worked. We never played chords and Russell didn’t use cymbals or hi-hats. It was very violent although no-one got hurt. Pure aggression, attitude and hate was what it was."[4] The band were offered a deal by Postcard Records, but opted for Bob Last's Fast Product label.[5] Further singles followed and a largely instrumental album, Lubricate Your Living Room (subtitled 'Background Music for Action People!'), in 1981, released on Fast subsidiary Pop:Aural.[5] The band recorded two sessions for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show, the first in February 1981 featuring a cover version of Heaven 17's "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang", and a second in November that year.[2][6] Their most successful single was "Candy Skin", released in 1981, but after the follow-up, "Big Gold Dream" failed to repeat its success, the band split up on 31 December 1981.[3][5]
Henderson formed the short-lived Heartbeat with Bob Last's partner Hillary Morrison, the band's only release a track on an NME compilation cassette.[3] Burn rejoined The Dirty Reds.[3] Henderson and Burn went on to form Win with Ian Stoddart (formerly of Everest the Hard Way) in the mid 1980s, the band continuing until 1989.[3] Henderson and Burn then worked together on Burn's Pie Finger project, releasing an album on Creation Records in 1992.[3] Henderson then formed The Nectarine No. 9, which continued from the early 1990s until 2004.[1][2]
Reformation
In 2004, the Fire Engines reformed to support The Magic Band at The Liquid Room in Edinburgh,[7] and released a limited edition collaboration single with Franz Ferdinand; The seven-inch single contained a Franz Ferdinand cover of the Fire Engines song "Get Up and Use Me" with Fire Engines covering Franz Ferdinand's "Jacqueline".[8][9] The band continued to play occasional concerts until 2006. On 2 October 2007, the Acute label issued Hungry Beat, a collection of the band's original studio recordings, making them available for the first time on CD in the US.
In the late 2000s, Henderson formed The Sexual Objects, featuring Ian Holford (drums), Simon Smeeton (guitar) and Douglas McIntyre (bass).[9] Graham Wann later joined as guitarist.[10] The band released a single on the Creeping Bent label in 2007, two singles through a German label in 2008 and one more in 2009. Their debut album, Cucumber, was released in 2010, partially produced by Boards of Canada (who produced the third single).[11] It was released on vinyl in 2011.
In August 2017 the band reformed again to play a benefit for Leith Theatre along with Irvine Welsh and Ewen Bremner.[12]
Discography
Albums
Lubricate Your Living Room (1981) - UK Indie #4
Compilations
- Aufgeladen und Bereit fur Action und Spass (1981)
- Fond (1992)
- Codex Teenage Premonition (2005)
- Hungry Beat (2007)
- Chrome Dawns (2024)
Singles
- "Get Up and Use Me" / "Everythings Roses" (1980), Codex Communications - UK Indie #9
- "Candyskin" / "Meat Whiplash" (1981), Pop:Aural - UK Indie #7
- "Big Gold Dream" / "New Thing in Cartons" / "Sympathetic Anaesthetic" (1981), Pop:Aural - UK Indie #15
- "Discord" (2006), Domino ¹
¹ from John Peel session tracks "Discord" and "Candyskin"
Legacy and influence
The history of The Fire Engines from 1979 to 1981 is covered in 2015 documentary film Big Gold Dream, which takes its name from the band's final release on the Pop:Aural label.[13]
The Fire Engines were an influence on many bands that followed, including Franz Ferdinand and The Rapture, with Meat Whiplash and The Candyskins both taking their names from Fire Engines songs.[4][8]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b c Ankeny, Jason "Fire Engines Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ a b c d Buckley, Peter (2003) "The Fire Engines", in The Rough Guide to Rock, Rough Guides, Template:ISBN, p. 373-4
- ↑ a b c d e f Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, Template:ISBN, p. 332-3
- ↑ a b c d e Reekie, Innes (2012) "Post Punk heroes the Fire Engines", Louder Than War, 6 January 2012, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ a b c McLaughlin, Milo (2006) "Fire Engines", The Skinny, 16 April 2006, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ "Fire Engines", Keeping It Peel, BBC, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ "Legendary Beefheart band cast their spell", The Scotsman, 26 January 2004, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ a b Kellman, Andy "Codex Teenage Premonition Review", Allmusic, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ a b Lister, Paul (2009) "New Band of the Day: The Sexual Objects (No 669)", guardian.co.uk, 13 November 2009, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ "The Sexual Objects – Live Session", BBC, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ Rogers, Jon (2012) "Fire Engines : Interview with Davy Henderson", pennyblackmusic.co.uk, 13 March 2012, retrieved 22 June 2012
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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External links
- Pages with script errors
- Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts
- Scottish post-punk music groups
- Scottish indie rock groups
- Musical groups established in 1979
- Musical groups disestablished in 1981
- Musical groups reestablished in 2004
- Musical groups disestablished in 2006
- Rock music groups from Edinburgh